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Time--2017 A to Z Theme

My theme for the 2017 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge was "Time". The posts are of a more philosophical, contemplative, and even autobiographical bent. No time management tips in this theme, but stuff intended to make you think.

Always a work in progress--welcome to my blog...

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Saturday, April 15, 2017

Mid month: In Between Days (#BOTB)(#atozchallenge)

Here we are in the midst of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, halfway to the end, in between the days of the fourth month of 2017. So far so good for me and a good many of you who are participating in this eighth Challenge. A few I've seen fallen by the wayside which has been something we see typically happen every year. But this Challenge is about stamina, commitment, and the sheer stubbornness of not giving up. I've always been stubborn since I was a kid. Sometimes that stubbornness has paid off for me.

Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th. The premise is simple: Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it. Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.

"In Between Days"

Originally released in 1985 by The Cure (click link to hear that version, but please don't vote for it), "In Between Days" caught on quickly with fans worldwide. Over the following decades the song has been performed by numerous other artists. I first picked up on the music of The Cure in the mid-eighties and became a fan. I'm sure there a some of you who don't care much for the group, but I hope you'll indulge me a bit for this Battle. After all, this song just seemed kind of appropriate for my It's About Time theme that I've chosen for April A to Z. See which of the following contenders you think does the better version of this song.

Ben Folds "In Between Days" (2003)

Keeping close pace with the original release by The Cure, Folds adds a driving piano to the song arrangement. The drumming emphasizes a sense of urgency suggested by the vocals. This one should get you at least moving in your chair a bit.

Cementerio Club "In Between Days" (2004)

Originally I had planned using the Spanish version of this song as performed by the Argentine group Man Ray, but then I figured that maybe it would be better if both versions were in English. When I found this slowed down version of the song as performed en Inglés by Peruvian punk rock group Cementerio Club, I felt it was time to stop looking for other song versions. Here is contender number two...

Time To Vote!Between these choices do you have a preference? Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. Which version do you like the best? Do you prefer the frantic pace of Ben Folds or the slowed down tempo of Cementerio Club? You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste. Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.

The A to Z Challenge will be wrapping up in a couple of weeks, but God willing and the creek don't rise I'm in it to win it. Yeah, stubborn old me finishing A to Z and cranking out these Battle of the Bands posts. Might as well have what fun one can find in life don't you think? And I'm having fun. Hope you are too. Please come back for the winner announcement on Friday April 21st and if you have the time, stop in to read and comment on my daily posts till then.

Are you a stubborn person? Do you tend to quit early if the going is tough or persist even to the annoyance of others? How quickly has your month been going?

I always thought I was someone who quit early, but another friend pointed out that I had a lot of stamina. So - yes and no - some things I've given up on - like trying to make origami quidrahexiquintelihedrons (I made that up), which were in a beautiful origami book but it made my head hurt trying to make complex geometric shapes. On the other hand, I did finish a project like terracing the gulch behind my house - 3 years later, and it's functional. So I'm an early quitter and a stubborn persister. Maui Jungalow

I fully expected to vote for Ben Folds, but upon hearing the Cementerio Club, they've taken my vote! (I hadn't actually heard this band before. Thanks for the intro to new-to-me music.)

Yes, I'd say I'm persistent, which is a lot like stubborn but without the negative connotation. Ha ha.

My month is going pretty well. I've visited well over a hundred blogs, made a few new friends, and maybe even found a new fan or two. April has been exhausting ever since I met you, but twice as rewarding. Thanks for that.#Team2017!

I'm flagging a bit at this point, way behind with comment responses and running out of pre-written posts. Doesn't help that this is a holiday weekend, but I will rally! ☺ Determined to see this through, as always.

Interesting battle! Ben Folds' frenetic pace is infectious and I thought surely he would be the one. Turns out, my ears preferred the mellow stylings of the Cementerio Club. Please give my vote to the Peruvians.

Lee, I'm stubborn when it comes to getting something done - working through a tough situation or finishing what I started kinda gal but not where people are concerned if that makes sense. This song is new-to-me. Both artists did a good job but this morning the slower version of contender two captured my mood more, so I'm giving my vote to Cemeterio Club. Thanks for stopping in to weigh in my round two of #BoTB and sneaking a peek at Art Sketching Through the Alphabet "M" (Mermaids) post earlier. Have a good weekend and Happy Easter, my friend!

At one time - for a short time - The Cure was my favorite group. When I first saw your contenders today I fully expected to vote for Ben Folds. Then after listening to them both, I realized that Cemetario Club's version was better.

Well, I always see my stubbornness as a negative trait - but in this case I guess it's a positive one. I planed to write a good deal of my posts out in March - but then the flu ran through the entire household and my peeps needed me. I almost gave up the challenge - but I decided to just do it. My posts aren't perfect and I'm practicing just getting it done each day. It's a challenge to not let the resistance in my head ruin me. I've decided it needs to sit down and shut up. I don't have time to listen to its negative chatter. I am excited to be half way done!

LEE ~I'd never heard this song before and didn't know either of the contenders. But I really dug that frenetic piano and drumming in the BEN FOLDS version. I'm afraid the C Club kind of bored me after awhile.

Well, this is an interesting experience. I played the first video, and thought. Hmm, not bad. Played the second one, and completely forgot that I was supposed to be voting on the battle. In the meantime, I had also forgot what the first one sounded like.

So, played them both again. First one, same thoughts. Second one.. and I nearly forgot again.

I used to have a lot of unfinished projects once upon a time. I was in the habit of quitting easily. But then something changed. I actually got around to completing a lot of those projects! Oh yes, I remember! Things changed after my first attempt at month-long daily blogging (NaBloPoMo)!

Btw, I'm lagging behind this time. (Was unwell last few days.) So I skipped 'L' for now. Will do it next Sunday. Will probably back-date it! ;-)

I'm definitely stubborn - but also lazy. LOL! Quite a combination - it leads to procrastination to the last minute. But this year, I was ready. I'm busy writing a novella with a 5/1 deadline so all my posts were done ahead of time. All I need to do is post my links and visit/comment a dozen or so blogs daily. Phew!

Lee, This was a pretty close battle, but in the end I like Ben Folds' version better, so he gets by vote. Glad you're enjoying another A to Z, and I'm impressed that you're as focused and full of energy as ever! You are still the host with the most!

I would add that I think you have to be a little bit in love with the sound of your own voice to hang in there! That sounds a little conceited, I know. But if YOU don't like what you blog about, who else will? ;)

Calen, I think you're absolutely correct. I write for myself first because if I don't like it why should anyone else and I can't predict what other people will like so I just have to put what I like out there and see what happens.

I know this song well and I will go with Cementerio Club because they did a different take on this song. I have danced to this song many a time in clubs back in the 80's. Anyone who knows me knows that I am very stubborn! It can grate on people because I do plant my feet firmly on the ground and I don't give up until it is done. Sometimes it s a good thing but sometimes.....

Birgit, I also used to listen to it a lot though I don't think I ever danced to it (not much of a dancer usually). Sometimes stubbornness can be a very good thing and other times it can indeed be annoying to others.

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

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Who's responsible for this blog anyway?

A juggler of words and phrases. My main blog is Tossing It Out. The focus blog for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge can now be found at a-to-zchallenge.com where updates will be posted until the event in April begins.
Wrote By Rote is about memoir writing.
A Few Words is my Sunday contemplation blog.
A Faraway View is about dreams. Pick what you like or look at them all. I love blogging!